Aging of the immune system, or immunosenescence, alters the viral immune response in the elderly, especially when frailty exists. Research findings have demonstrated an imbalance in pro- and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, reduced production and diversification of T lymphocytes, and an alteration in immunovigilance and antibody synthesis. In this context, nutrition has a role in combating sarcopenia and frailty. Some food components that contribute to immune-competence are protein, vitamin D, n-3 fatty acids, antioxidant vitamins (vitamins C and E), zinc, selenium and iron. In times of a pandemic, nutritional recommendations for immune-competence in the elderly should be based on clinical studies. In this article, immunosenescence and its relationship to nutrition are addressed, including interventions studied in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.regg.2021.08.003 | DOI Listing |
Front Cell Neurosci
December 2024
Max Planck Institute for Human Development Center for Lifespan Psychology, Berlin, Germany.
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has profoundly impacted global health, affecting not only the immediate morbidity and mortality rates but also long-term health outcomes across various populations. Although the acute effects of COVID-19 on the respiratory system have initially been the primary focus, it is increasingly evident that the virus can have significant impacts on multiple physiological systems, including the nervous and immune systems. The pandemic has highlighted the complex interplay between viral infection, immune aging, and brain health, that can potentially accelerate neuroimmune aging and contribute to the persistence of long COVID conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImmun Ageing
December 2024
ICMR-National Institute of Translational Virology and AIDS Research (formerly ICMR-National AIDS Research Institute), 73, G block, MIDC, Bhosari, Pune, 411026, India.
Background: People living with HIV (PLHIV) demonstrate accelerated aging and immunosenescence in spite of immune-restoration following long-term antiretroviral treatment (ART). Low level inflammation leading to inflammaging plays an important role in mediating premature immunosenescence. Ongoing viral replication, antiretrovirals and subclinical infections with the common viruses like Cytomegalovirus (CMV) are known to induce inflammaging.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOpen Forum Infect Dis
December 2024
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Background: There is an increasing awareness that aging of the immune system, or immunosenescence, is a key biological process underlying many of the hallmark diseases of aging and age-related decline broadly. While immunosenescence can be in part due to normal age-related changes in the immune system, emerging evidence posits that viral infections may be biological stressors of the immune system that accelerate the pace of immunosenescence.
Methods: We used a convenience sample of 42 individuals aged 65 years and older to examine correlations between antiviral immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels for 4 human herpesviruses (cytomegalovirus [CMV], herpes simplex virus [types 1 and 2], and Epstein-Barr virus) and multiple indicators of T-cell immunosenescence.
Chin Med J (Engl)
December 2024
Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA.
The rise in global life expectancy has led to an increase in the older population, presenting significant challenges in managing infectious diseases. Aging affects the innate and adaptive immune systems, resulting in chronic low-grade inflammation (inflammaging) and immune function decline (immunosenescence). These changes would impair defense mechanisms, increase susceptibility to infections and reduce vaccine efficacy in older adults.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Virol
December 2024
Laboratory of Precision Immunology, Center for Intractable Diseases and ImmunoGenomics, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan.
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!